Hoax Bomb Threats Target CRPF Schools Across India

Incident Overview

On the night of October 21, 2024, several Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) schools across India were the recipients of hoax bomb threats, according to sources. The schools targeted include two locations in Delhi, specifically one in Rohini and another in Dwarka, as well as a facility in Hyderabad.

The threats were communicated via email to the management of these schools, prompting a swift response from authorities who are currently investigating the matter. Various organizations involved in the investigation include the CRPF, Intelligence Bureau, and the Delhi Police.

Details of the Threat

The emails reportedly indicated a potential bomb blast in the schools’ classrooms at 11 AM on Tuesday. Subsequent investigations have confirmed that the threats were unfounded and classified as hoaxes.

This incident follows a concerning event that took place just a day prior, where a blast occurred outside a CRPF school in Rohini, Delhi. A pro-Khalistani group has claimed responsibility for that explosion, which raised alarm throughout the national capital.

Response and Investigation

Following the email threats, officials from the Delhi Police have reached out to social media platforms and the messaging application Telegram in an effort to track the source of the posts related to the threats. The blast outside the Prashant Vihar school on Sunday was powerful enough to damage the school’s wall, although there were no reported injuries from that incident. However, some nearby buildings and vehicles did sustain damage.

The issue of bomb threats is not limited to educational institutions. This week has seen a spike in hoax threats against domestic and international flights, with over 90 flights receiving such reports that have mostly turned out to be false alarms.

Meetings on Aviation Security

On Monday, RS Bhatti, the Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), along with Zulfiqar Hasan, the Director General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), held discussions with Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan regarding the recent spate of hoax bomb threats affecting the aviation sector.

During the nearly 30-minute meeting with officials from the Home Ministry, the two directors provided updates on the numerous hoax calls directed at both domestic and international flights. These reports have created significant anxiety within the aviation sector and prompted rigorous security checkpoint processes.

Implications for Security

Officials have expressed concern about the broader implications such threats could have on aviation security. The meetings underscored the necessity for heightened vigilance and improved coordination among various security agencies to effectively handle such incidents.